Apticote or Nikasil and a couple of other questions please..

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DeadHammer
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Posts: 120
Joined: Fri Mar 07, 2014 10:36 am
Location: Nottingham (ish)

Apticote or Nikasil and a couple of other questions please..

Post by DeadHammer »

Hi All,

i need to get my KR1 barrels refurbished as they are ditched (like the rest of the bike :roll: ) and have a couple of questions.

1. What's the general consensus on coatings - Apticote or Nikasil and also where would you send them for a good quality job?

2. How bad can the barrels be before a re-coat/refurb isn't possible?

3. Should I source the pistons beforehand and send them with the barrels so that everything can be machined/measured for proper clearances etc. or will the refurb company source them?

4. Any advice on a good make of pistons?

5. Should i vapour blast beforehand or would the company doing the refurb do this as part of the prep process?

Apologies in advance if i'm being a numpty and thanks for looking.

Cheers

Dave
Luders
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Location: Oxfordshire

Re: Apticote or Nikasil and a couple of other questions plea

Post by Luders »

1. Apticote is a more modern plate offered by Poeton Aptec and what I always use. No other place you can go for it. There seems to be a misconception about how many places offer plating services in this country. I reality there are only 2, Aptec and Lancourts. Anyone else offering this service is a reseller. Nothing wrong with using a reseller, I just go direct for my own reasons.

2. They can be really bad, but depends on what you're referring to. The more times you plate the cylinders start to become porous and will crack eventually.

3. Yes send your pistons away with your cylinders so they can be honed exactly to recommended gap tolerance.

4. Depends on what's available. Do research and it's worth spending more money. i.e. not buying the cheapest available.

5. No, they dip them and will come back looking new.

HTH
rgvsean
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Re: Apticote or Nikasil and a couple of other questions plea

Post by rgvsean »

I'm an Aptec re-seller and confirm the above. There are some re-sellers who may offer poor customer service.

I swapped from langcourt to aptec a few years ago.

I negotiate a discount due to volume so can split this and I do it for £138 inc vat and I am easy to communicate with and pay.

Or you can go direct and possibly pay more. Exact same job.

Both platings are good, in the round I've found the aptec process to be better. Cylinders are better prepped, come back fully cleaned and the port chamfering is better. None of these things have anything to do with the coating.
Luders
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Joined: Fri Jun 18, 2010 11:29 am
Location: Oxfordshire

Re: Apticote or Nikasil and a couple of other questions plea

Post by Luders »

I thought of you Sean when I wrote that and know you get a discount, so all things considered Dave, I would advise you speak to Sean and no doubt he'll also be able to give you the piston advice I wasn't able to and also supply them for you, when he sends your cylinders away to Aptec.
DeadHammer
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Posts: 120
Joined: Fri Mar 07, 2014 10:36 am
Location: Nottingham (ish)

Re: Apticote or Nikasil and a couple of other questions plea

Post by DeadHammer »

Thanks for your detailed response Luders, much appreciated!

Sean, another forum member also recommended you to me verbally - I'll be in touch shortly.

Cheers

Dave
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